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GLOBAL MANUFACTURING WAS deeply depressed in Europe while North America showed continued strength this April, new data out of Markit Economics shows.

The firm released PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) readings for more than a dozen countries over the past twelve hours, with large declines across the euro area, as powerhouses like Germany succumbed to regional weakness.

Notable readings:

• Ireland: 52.2 in April, very slightly up from 52.1
• UK: 50.5 in April, down from a revised reading of 51.9
• Eurozone: 45.9 in April, down from 47.7
• Spain: 43.5 in April, down from 44.5
• Italy: 43.8 in April, down from 47.9
• US: 54.8 in April, up from 53.4
• Canada: 53.3 in April, up from 52.4
• China: 49.3 in April, up from 48.3
• Japan: 50.7 in April, down from 51.1

Below we present two maps. First, the world map updated with revised April PMI results.

The second map is based on manufacturing reports from March, highlighting the rapidly changing conditions in both the U.S. (which saw continued strength), and Europe (which fell further into decline).

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